Establishes an automatic application program for state high school students into SUNY and CUNY.
If enacted, this bill would have significant implications for state laws regarding education and student data privacy. Under S07590, the application process for high school students would shift, requiring the educational department to comply with federal regulations regarding information sharing. Notably, the program would emphasize the importance of student consent, ensuring that personal data is managed prudently, thereby maintaining compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This legislative change is designed to increase college enrollment rates among high school graduates.
Bill S07590 aims to establish an Automatic Application Program specifically designed for graduating high school students in New York. This program intends to streamline the college application process by automatically applying eligible students to both the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY). The bill outlines the responsibilities of the educational department to create a centralized academic database that will facilitate this automatic application submission, making access to higher education more straightforward for students in the state.
While the bill has generally garnered support, there are points of contention among various stakeholders. Proponents argue that the automatic application process will help increase college attendance and improve educational outcomes for students who might otherwise face barriers to applying. Critics, however, might raise concerns regarding the quality of applications resulting from an automated process, fearing it could dilute personal expressions in college admissions. Additionally, there may be debates regarding the adequacy of safeguards to protect student data as more personal information becomes centralized in one database.